India has pledged support for Nigeria’s efforts to advance its cotton, textile and garment industry through technology transfer, investment partnerships, skills development and value chain integration.

India’s high commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, announced this on Thursday in Abuja at a Textile Meet and Business-to-Business engagement organised by the high commission.

Mr Singh said Nigeria and India shared a long-standing economic partnership built on complementary strengths, noting that Nigeria’s large population and growing textile demand positioned it as India’s strategic partner.

According to him, India is currently the world’s sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel, with exports valued at 37.75 billion dollars in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

“India and Nigeria share a long-standing economic partnership built on complementary strengths. Nigeria is Africa’s largest democracy with a growing population and rising demand for affordable textiles, while India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of cotton, yarn, fabrics and garments,” he said.

The envoy said bilateral textile trade between the two countries remained below potential due to import restrictions, logistics costs, foreign exchange shortages, and competition from cheaper Asian products.

He disclosed that Nigeria’s textile exports in 2024 stood at $25.69 million, with India accounting for only five per cent.

Mr Singh said India was ready to support Nigeria’s textile revival drive by encouraging Indian firms to establish ginning, spinning, and textile-processing facilities in cotton-producing states such as Katsina and Zamfara.

“Instead of only exporting finished fabrics, Indian firms can set up ginning, spinning and processing units in Nigeria’s cotton belts. This aligns with Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment Policy and reduces import dependence,” he said.

He added that India could also provide modern textile machinery, digital printing and dyeing technology, alongside technical training for Nigerian operators and manufacturers.

Mr Singh said India was exploring partnerships between India’s National Institute of Fashion Technology and fashion institutions in Lagos to strengthen technical and design capacity in the sector.

He also announced plans for an India-Nigeria Bi-Monthly Trade Webinar Series in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry to connect exporters and importers from both countries.

“We need to move the textile trade from transactional to transformational. India brings scale, cost efficiency and technical depth, while Nigeria offers market size and design innovation,” he said.

(NAN)